Improvement in binnacles for mariners  compasses



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE WI. RIOI'IEY AND HORACE E. BIXBY, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

IMPROVEMENT IN BINNACLES FOR MARlNERS COMPASSES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 116,631, dated July 4, -1871.

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that we, GEORGE W. RICHEY and HORACE E. BIXBY, of St. Louis, in the county of "St. Louis and State'of Missouri, have made a new and useful Improved Marine Oompa ss, Binnacle- B0X, and Compass-Chart; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full and true description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawing a-nd to the letters of reference marked thereon.

This invention relates to such a construction of the binnacle or housing for the protection of the compass contained therein that a light or lamp can be used in connection with said housed compass; also, to the peculiar arrangement and construction of parts' to direct the light to be shed in as mellow a condition as possible toward the cardinal steering-point ofthe compass. This invention further relates to the application, use, and construction, in combination with the compassof a river-guide or compass-chait wound around two reels and incasedv in a housing carrying a light or lamp, all of which will now more fully be described.

To enable those herein skilled to make a-nd use our said improvements, we will now more fully describe the same, referring to the accompanying drawing, sheet l and 2, of which- Figure 1 is a sectional elevation; Fig. 2, an end or front elevation 5 Fig. 3, a plan section at line :c 1,- Figs. 4 and 5 as detail views of the shades; Fig. 6, sheet 2, a sectional elevation of compass-chart; and Fig. 7 sheet 2, top plan, with cover removed.

In the application of our said improvements the ordinary marine-compass A is used. The said compass is properly supported within a wooden housing, B, formed with slanting or inclined sides B B', and closed bythe hinged lid C attached to a narrow top piece, c, in manner indicated in Fig. 1. The open space around the compass is entirely closed by a thin boa-rd or card face, C', properly fitted and secured. The metallic case and chimney D, containing lamp D', is secured to housing B, the rear boa-rd for this purpose having a square opening or window, d. (See Figs. 1 and 8.)

The arrangement of wood or card shades to direct and concentrate the rays of the light to the face and cardinal point (north pole) of the compass is as follows: Within the binnacle thus formed, and fitted upright against the rear sides thereof, is arranged a movable shade, E, formed in shape shown in detail, Fig. 4. The said shade E intercepts the lower rays of light, darkens the side passages, and throws the upper rays of the light on the face of the compass; also, the said shade, being movable, can be made to give an increased or decreased light, as desired. The side blocks or pieces e c prevent the light from glaring about the side and face passages of the box and compass; also, there is arranged a detachable sh ade, F, tted against inclined supports f on the sides ofthe box, and resting on side blocks e c or rim face of the compass. The said shade F deiiects the rays of the light to be shed more directly on the steering-point of the compass. The unrequired part of the compass is also darkened by placing upon its glass face the circular card shade G, cnt with a sector-shaped opening, (see detail, Fig. 5,) the opened space g thus left being sufficient to disclose the com` pass-point. It is essential that the light should be as mellow in its nature as possible; therefore, the respective shades E F, side pieces e e', together with their part interior ofthe binnacle A, are colored or painted with a light or brightred color, while the remaining interior surface of the box as well' as the face of the said shadeG are colored with a dark brown or similar color. The lid of the binnacle has an elongated slot, H, to disclose the compass-point. Said opening is closed by its slide/L.

It is apparent that theinconveniences, delays, as well as dangers often resulting from a non-capability oi' using the compass as ordinarily protected and housed, are thus practically overcome, and that our improved binnacle, in which alight can be used in comjunction with the compass contained, making' the same serviceable at all seasons, of day, night, a-nd weather, renders the navigation, especially of river vessels, more safe and speedy.

The compass-chart I, of paper or cloth, has printed upon it the names of the various stations, landings, points, and objects oi' steerage from place to place, together with their position and direction, (magnetic meridian,) as indicated by the points ofthe compass. Thus, from Kennetts to iield below Forrest Home is two points S. (south) of E. (east.) (See Fig. 2, sheet 2.) Space is lei't between the printed lines or words to insert any changes or corrections to be observed for steerage or guiding purposes. The printed chart thus formed is secured properly to two reels, J J contained in a box or housing, K. The reels are turned by hand-cranks. (See Figs. G and 7.) The box K is also provided With a lamp or light attached to front side, which, for this purpose, has the Window or opening k. The sliding lid or cover of the box has an elongated slot, L, covered by a hinged or sliding' cover, Z, so arranged that the compass-chart can readily be seen and read. The interior ofthe box is painted with a ver-million or bright-red colorto soften the effect of the light.

"The compass-chart may be of'a river, railroad, or any other line of travel it may be desirable to illustrate. When used in conjunction with amarine compass additional protection and security foi1 the safe and speedy navigation of vessels is achieved.

Having thus fully described our said invention, What We claim isl. The arrangement of shades E F, side pieces e e, and circular shade G, in combination with a binnacle, B, formed With inclined sides B B, hinged cover G With slot H and slide h, constructed and colored substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The improved binnacle B With shades or deflectors, in combination With a marine compass,

A, and light or lamp D, substantially as set forth.'

3. The compasschart With printed list of landings, places, and objects, together With points of compass indicating their magnetic direction and position, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. The compass-chart or river-guide I, constructed as described, When arranged on reels J 

